Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1. Sustainable water programme of action vision diagram
VISION
: Freshwater is managed wisely to provide for the present and future social, cultural,
environmental and economic wellbeing of New Zealand
CHALLENGES
•Not all expectations and needs for freshwater are currently being met and demands are growing
•Water quality is declining in many areas and is unacceptable in some catchments
•Given the range of people's interests in water it is difficult to establish priorities for action
Sustainable Development
Sustain the health of freshwater ecosystems
Manage
freshwater in the
context of M ori
cultural values and the
Treaty relationship
between Crown
and M ori
Protect public
health
Facilitate
economic
growth and
innovation
Facilitate
public use,
access and
enjoyment
Enhance
environmental
protection
Key principles to achieve these objectives
Decision-
making is
transparent,
participatory,
and timely
Respect
existing
rights,
interests
and
values,
and
future
options
Maintain
environmental
bottom lines
and avoid,
remedy, or
mitigate
adverse
environmental
effects
Manage
within
the
constraints
of
uncertainty
and cost
Water is
made
available
over time
for its
highest
value use*
Decision-making
occurs at
the appropriate
level and
balances local
and national
interests
Decision-
making is
underpinned
by adequate
information
*
Value is defined in its holistic sense and not just in reference to economic value. 'Highest value
use' encompasses all aspects of sustainable development: environmental, social, cultural and
economic.
Sustainable management is defined in section 5 of the RMA as the use, development,
and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables
people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well being and
for their health and safety while:
sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources to meet the reasonably
foreseeable needs of future generations;
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